How To Pursue MS Biotechnology In Singapore?
Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that combines life sciences with technological prowess to develop new products. The scientific world has seen many breakthroughs in biotechnology research that have sky-rocketed the field’s scope owing to a plethora of resulting applications. Biotechnology is used to get the maximum out of our natural resources that include all the components of a well-rounded ecosystem. Innovation and risk-taking are a part of this exciting, dynamic field that attracts millions of students every year. Biotechnology’s scope seems to have no end as scientific advancements that occur everyday help in scientific development and the economy of a place, thus creating lucrative job opportunities. The wide range of scope that biotechnology has opened up a diverse number of jobs in multiple industries. Biotechnology encompasses various study areas such as immunology, microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biochemistry, etc.
Biotechnology in Singapore
Biotechnology has an increasing scope in Singapore as one of the most profitable industries. In 1990, the place launched a “Master plan” that targeted Biotechnology as a priority development and treatment field. The Singapore Economy Development Board came up with a plan to strengthen its technological base, called the National Biotechnology Program, which concentrated on developing 5 centers concentrating on different areas of biology – Bioscience Center, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Agrobiology, Food Biotechnology Center, and the Bioprocessing Technology Unit. Also, a research incentive scheme helped the NBP to facilitate the administration of grants. According to a survey, nearly 50% of the students and staff in R&D are expatriates, i.e., people from other nations.
Singapore’s strategic location and infrastructure are its prime strengths that are used to develop man aspects. This makes the Singapore market accessible to biotechnology research hubs like the US and the UK, which have government assistance, well-equipped labs for research, high technical competency levels, and access to southeast Asian money markets. This ensures a steady flow of professionals looking to expand their skills and interests by investing in Singapore’s biotechnology industry, thus creating many more opportunities.
Currently, research & development in Singapore is a booming field with employment options in many biotechnology companies.
Why study in Singapore?
Although a small place, Singapore is a big hit in terms of research and higher education. Over the past few decades, global reports have recognized the area as a world leader in innovation and research. The Universities there are among Asia’s top universities. There are 5 major reasons why you should consider studying in Singapore:
- The place has a global reputation for excellence in academics. It is home to global recognition-winning universities that have placed Singapore as the best-performing location for the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) test conducted by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Academics in Singapore is competitive and highly advanced, attracting many students and scholars worldwide.
- Singapore has great industry connections. The place is home to the headquarters of many multinational companies. Biotechnology companies of global fame have been set up and offer graduates a world of opportunities. The universities also take the care to have strategic partnerships and collaborations with the industry, giving access to advanced research labs and incubation programs for innovation, including BLOCK71, an entrepreneurial hub.
- The place is a melting pot of diverse cultures. With a multicultural society that majorly speaks English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, Singapore attracts international students from various countries. Although the place has unique aspects around every corner, similarities in lifestyle for people from many countries make it easier to adjust to the Singaporean environment.
- In the 2019 Urban life quality survey conducted by Mercer, Singapore was ranked to be the city with the highest quality of life in Asia. With a superior geographical location, a developed economy, a sound legal system, efficient city planning, a warm climate, convenient means of transportation, and a friendly and tolerant social atmosphere, Singapore turns out to be one of the most suitable study destinations.
- Safety is assured in Singapore, which is in fact ranked the second safest city in the world. University campuses generally have a 24/7 security team patrolling. This is a relief majorly to families back home and considers higher studies in Singapore much more effortless and acceptable.
Admission Criteria
To get admission into MS Biotechnology in Singapore, prospective students have to fulfill specific criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline with honors or equivalent.
- Entry examination scores for GRE or GMAT
- TOEFL or IELTS or Malaysian University English Test for individuals with a native language other than English
Students are generally admitted twice a year, in January and August, with deadlines for each application. Relevant faculty scrutinizes the application carefully regarding a combination of criteria such as academic records, test scores, references, previous degrees, and work experience, if any.
Fees and Funding for MS Biotechnology in Singapore
Studying in Singapore can be expensive depending on the university and the course you chose. At one of the top universities in Singapore, an international student must pay S$35,000 as an unsubsidized fee. For overseas students, the subsidy amount generally ranges from S$5,000-S$40,000. Funding for Master’s is obtained in the form of scholarships offered by the university or international scholarships that aid students in their graduate studies.
Universities for MS Biotechnology in Singapore
Scholarships offered
- NUS Research Scholarship
- President’s Graduate Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- Tuition Fee Allowance (TFA)
- ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
- Education Future International Scholarship
- Berows International Scholarship Program
Biotechnology companies in Singapore
After graduating from MS Biotechnology in Singapore, there are several companies that offer opportunities to work at. Some of them are:
- Singapore Biotech
- Amgen
- Novartis
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
- i-DNA Biotechnology Pte. Ltd.
- Austrianova Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Research Biolabs Pte. Ltd.
- QIAGEN Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- AITBiotech
- Cytiva ASEAN
- Straits Biotech Pte. Ltd.
- Fluidigm
- STEMCELL Technologies
- Jungbunzlauer Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Miltenyi Biotec Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
- ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
- World Changing Technologies Pte. Ltd.
- Takeda Singapore Manufacturing Plant
- Bio3D Technologies Pte. Ltd.
- Biomin Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Conclusion
Studying MS Biotechnology in Singapore has many lucrative benefits for an individual to establish himself/herself as a capable part of the global biotechnology industry. You can be assured of a well-rounded education that gives you the experience to work in the industry and research while providing you with the confidence to venture on their own.
